Ariel, located at the Intercontinental Hotel near the Catalonia Museum of Art, provides an exceptional buffet breakfast. The selection includes various meats, fruits, hot dishes, Catalonian specialties, and a daily-changing assortment of pastries. This elegant, high-end restaurant offers a delightful array of breakfast and brunch choices that are sure to satisfy even the most discerning diners.
During our exploration of Barcelona, we paused for a quick lunch at a small chain called Vivari Coffee and Bakery. This establishment is known for being clean and affordable, offering a variety of sandwiches, pastries, cookies, and wraps. We purchased two ham and Brie croissants along with two soft drinks for a total of 10 Euros. Our sandwiches were delicious.
The Great Hall offers a superb five-star white-glove dining experience. Situated in the El Palace Hotel, one of César Ritz's original four hotels, it transports you back to the 1920s.
The menu, staff, and ambiance are all elegant and refined yet very welcoming.
We enjoyed drinks, appetizers, filet mignon, sea bass, chocolate mousse cake, and a light ladyfinger-style cake topped with mango gelato. Everything was perfect, and all this, including tax and tip, was under $200 per couple. They feature live jazz in their speakeasy, the Bluesman Cocktail Bar, as a tribute to the great jazz legend Josephine Baker, who once lived at the hotel. The hotel also boasts a suite designed and decorated by Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones, who also lived and performed there. If you're seeking a special evening in Barcelona, El Palace should be at the top of your list.
If you're close to La Pedrera ~ Casa Milà, I recommend Paelleria Gaudi. It's a modest, laid-back restaurant located on the same street as the museum. They offer both tapas and paella.
The menu is extensive with plenty of options.
The place is beautifully decorated, and the staff is sweet, kind, and generous. We enjoyed sangria, three tapas dishes, and the lobster paella, and including tax and tip, it was under $120 for two adults. They also serve lunch.
Located in the Las Ramblas area, one of Barcelona's most popular spots for shopping and nightlife, you'll discover the magnificent Le Meridien hotel. It combines historical charm with modern amenities and boasts a prime location just a few minutes' walk from the Gothic Quarter, El Born, and the beaches.
The hotel features a ground-floor corner restaurant, Cent111Onze, situated in the heart of the action. The dining area is beautifully illuminated with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking one of Spain's most famous streets, making it perfect for people-watching. The service is excellent and attentive, offering fabulous fresh dishes. Our lunch included two types of croquettes - ham and chicken, patatas bravas - chunky fried potatoes topped with romesco sauce and a white sauce similar to a light béchamel, and traditional lightly toasted bread with tomatoes. The main courses were turbot with clams and mussels in an herb-infused sauce and sea bass marinara. Our desserts were decadent: the first was a cocoa and spice sponge cake with dried fruit and nut mousse and caramel ice cream, while the other was coconut mousse, lime and chili cookie, and passion fruit ice cream. You really must visit; it will enhance your stay.
Special thanks to Moises Motoro and Alexandra Martinez for the unforgettable tour and lunch.
La Rita is a small hidden gem located on a side street off the Passeig de Gràcia. Giant palms, beautiful greenery, and mirrors on the walls reflect the tiny lights in the ceiling, creating the feeling of dining under the stars. This evening, we tried fried eggplant, Jamón Ibérico, and glass shrimp. It was our first experience with glass shrimp, and it was excellent, reminiscent of tiny clam strips.
For our main courses, we had grilled veal chop and frutti di mare. We decided to skip dessert and continued enjoying both red and white sangria instead. It was a very affordable evening, costing less than 120.00 for two adults, including tax and tip.
Barcelona was a culinary playground with so much amazing food and variety. I can't wait to get back and explore more. For more details, reach out to us at www.PersonalEscapeTravel.com
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